Ban the Super Trawlers

Dear Senator Ruston, 

I am writing to express my deep concern and opposition to the operation of the foreign freezer factory trawler Geelong Star in Australia’s Small Pelagic Fishery. It continues to kill protected species and is having immeasurable impacts on local fish stocks. 

Under these circumstances, and considering ongoing public opposition to the factory trawler, I am shocked that the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) would consider decreasing observer coverage by 80% and increasing the total allowable catch of the Small Pelagic Fishery by almost 20% to 49,000 tonnes in the next fishing season. 

AFMA is failing to protect threatened species from the super trawler Geelong Star, and is instead protecting the industry from public scrutiny. The Geelong Star is using an unproven barrier net, and is allowed to fish at night – the most difficult time to avoid marine mammals. Given the weakness of these unproven protections and the ongoing deaths of protected animals, it is unacceptable that AFMA is further weakening regulations and putting the profits of one company ahead of our nationally protected species. 

I believe that AFMA is failing the Australian public by continuing to ignore the concerns of local tourism businesses, recreational fishers and coastal communities whose lifestyles, jobs and regional economies are threatened by the Geelong Star’s operations. 

I urge the Australian Government to protect our fisheries and marine life for the future and permanently ban the Geelong Star and all freezer factory trawlers from the Small Pelagic Fishery.
Tell Senator Ruston - ban the monster trawlers

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